GRANULAR DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SELECTED BUILDERS IN OPTIMUM RATIOS

Abstract: A granular detergent composition having improved cleaning performance is provided. The detergent composition contains a detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics and mixtures thereof, and a mixture of non-phosphate detergent builders. The builder mixture comprises an aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in an optimum ratio of from about 3.5:1:1 to about 6:1:1.

Description: GRANULAR DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SELECTED BUILDERS EN OPTIMUM RATIOS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to detergent compositions exhibiting superior cleaning performance. More particularly, the invention is directed to granular detergent compositions containing selected builders which are in optimum ratios, all of which provide surprisingly improved performance over detergents used in the past. The selected builders incorporated in the detergent compositions include aluminosilicate, crystalline layered silicates and citrate/citric acid in specific ratios which are defined hereinafter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, naturally occurring water including surface water, ground water and conventional untreated tap water typically contains a number of salts which are dissolved out of the soil and rock. The most important constituents are the salts of sodium, calcium and magnesium. Of these, only alkaline eanh metals such as calcium and magnesium are responsible for this so-called "hardness" in the water. This hardness presents problems during typical washing processes since the alkaline earth metal ions impair the washing effectiveness of the surfactants contained in conventional detergents. For this reason, builders are added to detergents so that the interaction between the metal ions and the surfactants is completely or partly avoided, thereby increasing the washing effectiveness of the surfactants. In this way, the metal ions and builders are converted to water soluble/dispersable complexes. It is preferable to avoid formation of complexes which can precipitate from the washing solution as they can deposit of the fabrics. There have been a wide variety of builders used in detergent compositions for purposes of increasing the effectiveness of surfactants in detergents by softening, i.e. removing the hardness from washing solutions. For example, phosphate-based builders such as pentasodium triphosphate have been found to be effective in detergent formulations. The phosphate-based builders, however, have been held responsible for eutrophication of rivers and lakes, i.e. increasing the algae growth and oxygen consumption. Accordingly, measures have been taken to limit the content of phosphates in detergents. Materials such as zeolites have been used as a substitute for phosphate builders. The zeolites are capable of the calcium ion content by ion exchange. The magnesium binding capacity, however, is very low. Thus, the use of zeolite alone in detergents has not resulted in satisfactory cleaning performance. Further, sodium silicates have been used, as well. The chief function of theses builders is to provide a supply of sodium ions and increase the pH value of the washing solutions. The use of only the amorphous version of such sodium silicates has not provided the superior cleaning now required by the industry. Rieck. U.S. Patent No. 4.820.439 (Hoechst). discloses the use of crystalline layered sodium silicates as detergent builders which soften water containing calcium and magnesium ions. The calcium and magnesium ion binding capacity of crystalline layered sodium silicates is indicated as being superior to amorphous sodium silicates. Rieck suggest the composition of the crystalline layered sodium silicates to have the formula NaMSi x θ2x+l vH 2θ wherein M denotes sodium or hydrogen, x is from 1.9 to 4 and y is from 0 to 20. While the Rieck sodium silicate provides improved softening over amorphous sodium silicates, there is a continuing need for a combination of builders which can provide the performance required by detergent formulations. Beerse et al, U.S. Patent No. 5,108,646 (Procter & Gamble), disclose a process for agglomerating aluminosilicate or crystalline sodium silicate builders for use in detergent compositions. While Beerse et al provide builder agglomerates having satisfactory performance, they do not provide a detergent composition having a specific combination of builders which achieves superior cleaning performance. Accordingly, despite the aforementioned disclosures in the art, there is a continuing need for a detergent composition having improved cleaning performance. Further, there is a need in the art for such a detergent composition which includes selected builders in an optimum ratio and achieves superior cleaning performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a detergent composition which includes at least one surfactant and a mixture of selected builders in an optimum ratio. As a consequence of the inclusion of the selected builders in an optimum ratio, the detergent composition provides improved cleaning performance. The detergent composition of the invention can also include other ingredients which are typically included in granular detergents. As used herein, the term "citrate/citric acid" refers to citric acid in addition to stoichiometric equivalent amounts of salts of citric acid such as sodium citrate and the like. All proportions and percentages used herein are expressed as percentages by weight unless specified otherwise. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a detergent composition with the previously mentioned improved cleaning performance is provided. A granular detergent composition comprising: (a) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of a detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics and mixtures thereof; and (b) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of a mixture of non-phosphate detergent builders. The builder mixture comprises an aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in a ratio of from about 3.5: 1:1 to about 6: 1: 1. The detergent composition may also include from about 5% to about 90% by weight of additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of water-soluble salt, suds control agent, soil suspending agent, soil release agent, pH adjusting agent, chelating agent, smectite clay, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, perfumes and fluorescent brighteners. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a detergent composition which achieves improved cleaning performance by including selected builders in an optimum ratio. These and other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is directed to an improved granular detergent composition comprising a mixture of selected non-phosphate builders which, when included in specific ratios, suφrisingly provide superior cleaning performance. All of the cleaning benefits are achieved without sacrificing the physical properties of the granular detergent composition. In addition to a surfactant or mixture thereof, the detergent composition can contain those ingredients typically incoφorated into granular detergents, several of which are preferred as described hereinafter. In a preferred embodiment, the granular detergent composition comprises: (a) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of a detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics and mixtures thereof; and (b) from about 5% to about 95% by weight of a mixture of non-phosphate detergent builders. The builder mixture comprises an aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in a ratio of from about 3.5 : 1 : 1 to about 6:1:1. Most preferably, the builder mixture comprises an aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in a ratio of 4.5:1:1. Additional preferred detergent compositions include those having crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in a ratio of from about 0.5: 1 to about 2: 1, most preferably from about 0.65:1 to about 1.55:1. In another preferred embodiment, the ratio of aluminosilicate ion exchange material and citrate/citric acid is in a ratio of from about 1.5: 1 to about 6: 1. Within these optimum builder ratios, the detergent composition of the invention achieves improved cleaning performance. The Selected Builders Although the art is replete with detergent builders which improve the performance of laundry detergents and the like, the detergent composition of the present invention selectively includes aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate/citric acid in specific optimum ratios. It should be understood, however, that additional builders may be included in the detergent composition without departing from the scope of the invention. A. Aluminosilicate The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein as a detergent builder preferably have both a high calcium ion exchange capacity and a high exchange rate. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is belie, ed that such high calcium ion exchange rate and capacity are a function of several interrelated factors which derive from the method bv w ich the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is produced In that regard, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein are preferably produced in accordance with Corkill et al. U S Patent No 4,605.509 (Procter & Gamble), the disclosure of which is incoφorated herein by reference Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπal is in "sodium" form since the potassium and hydrogen forms of the instant aluminosilicate do not exhibit the as high of an exchange rate and capacity as provided by the sodium form Additionally, the aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπal preferably is in hydrated form In that regard, the aluminosilicate contains from about 10% to about 40%, more preferably from about 12% to about 30% by weight water. Most preferably, the instant aluminosilicate contains from about 15% to about 28% by weight water It has been found that less highly hydrated alum osilicates, for example those containing 6% by weight water or less, do not function as effectively as ion exchange builders when employed in the context of a laundry detergent The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein preferably have particle size diameters which optimize their effectiveness as detergent builders The term "particle size diameter" as used herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπal as determined by conventional analytical techniques, such as microscopic determination and scanning electron microscope (SEM) The preferred particle size diameter of the aluminosilicate is from about 0 1 micron to about 10 microns, more preferably from about 0 5 microns to about 9 microns Most preferably, the particle size diameter is from about 1 microns to about 8 microns Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from about 1 to about 5 and x is from about 10 to about 264 More preferably, the aluminosilicate has the formula Na 12 [(A10 2 )i2 (Si0 2 )i 2 ].xH 2 0 wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, preferably about 27 These preferred alummosilicates are available commercially, for example under designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B and Zeolite X Alternatively, naturally-occurπng or synthetically derived aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπals suitable for use herein can be made as described in Krummel et al. U S Patent No 3,985,669, the disclosure of which is incoφorated herein by reference Although completely hydrated aluminosilicate ion exchange mateπals are preferred herein, it is recognized that the partially dehydrated alummosilicates having the formula presented previously are also very suitable for rapidly and effectively reducing the water hardness dunng the laundeπng operauon Of course, in the process of preparing the alummosilicates used herein, reaction-crystallization parameter fluctuations can result in such partially hydrated materials The alummosilicates used herein are further characterized bv their ion exchange capacity which is at least about 200 mg equiv lent of C1CO3 hardness/gram, calculated on an anhvdrous basis and which is preferably in a range from about 300 to 352 mg equivalent of CaC03 hardness/gram Additionally, the instant aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are still further characteπzed by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least about 2 grains Ca ++ /gallon/mιnute/-gram/gallon and more preferably in a range from about 2 grains Ca ++ /gallon/mιnute/-gram gallon to about 6 grains Ca "H" /gallon/mmute/-gram/gallon B Crystalline Layered Sodium Silicate In companson with amoφhous sodium silicates, crystalline layered sodium silicates exhibit a clearly increased calcium and magnesium ion exchange capacity In addition, the layered sodium silicates prefer magnesium ions over calcium ions, a feature necessary to insure that substantially all of the "hardness" is removed from the wash water These crystalline layered sodium silicates, however, are generally more expensive than amoφhous silicates as well as other builders Accordingly, in order to provide an economically feasible laundry detergent, the proportion of crystalline layered sodium silicates used must be determined judiciously To that end. the instant invention stπkes a balance between cost and ion exchange performance by providing an optimum builder ratio which is effective against both calcium and magnesium ions and which, thereby results in improved cleaning performance of the ultimate laundry detergent into which the builders are incoφorated The crystalline layered sodium silicates suitable for use herein preferably have the formula NaMSι 0 2 +1 yH 2 0 wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is from about 1 9 to about 4 and y is from about 0 to about 20 More preferably, the crystalline layered sodium silicate has the formula NaMSι 2 0 5 yH 2 0 wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, and y is from about 0 to about 20 These and other crystalline layered sodium silicates are disccussed in Corkill et al. U S Patent No 4,605,509, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference The crystalline layered sodium silicate preferably has an average particle size diameter of from about 0 01 microns to about 1000 microns, most preferably from about 0 1 microns to about 10 microns The term "particle size diameter" as used herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion exchange matenal as deteπnined by conventional analytical techniques such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM) C Citrate/citπc acid Another essential builder component for the granular detergent composition of the invention is citrate/citπc acid including citric acid, salts thereof and mixtures of the two The preferred citπc acid salt is sodium citrate As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such builder mateπals are widely available from numerous commercial sources. For example, suitable citrate/citric acid may be purchased from Haarman & Reimer Coψoration. Alternatively, citrate/citric acid can be readily synthesized by well- known reaction mechanisms. Other builder materials similar to citrate/citric acid which are suitable for use in place of citrate/citric acid are selected from the group consisting of succinate tartrates, carboxymethoxysuccinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid and salts thereof. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, additional materials similar in nature to those described herein may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Detergent Surfactant The improved granular detergent composition of the inventions preferably includes a surfactant at a level of from about 5 % to about 95% by weight, more preferably about 10% to about 50% by weight. Preferably, the detergent surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics. and mixtures thereof. Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps", are useful anionic surfactants in the compositions herein. This includes alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap. Useful anionic surfactants also include the water-soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates. especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C . _-C . carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil: and the sodium and potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, in straight chain or branched chain configuration, e.g., see U.S. Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14, abbreviated as C . . . . LAS. Especially preferred is from about 12 to 20 weight % of a mixture of C. „ . , linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and C .. . „ alkyl sulfate. These are preferably in a lU-lu " l -lo weight ratio of between about 20:80 and 80:20, most preferably between about 30:70 and 70:30, sodium C ]f) . , (preferably C. . . .) LAS:sodium C. _ „ (preferably C. , . ,) alkyl sulfate. Other anionic surfactants herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates. especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil: sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates: sodium or potassium salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing about 1 to about 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms. Also. C^. j secondary alcohol sulfates can be conveniently employed herein. Still other useful anionic surfactants suitable for use herein include the water-soluble salts of esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxyalkane-l-sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyi group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; water-soluble salts of olefin and paraffin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 20 carbon atoms; and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety. Water-soluble nonionic surfactants are also useful in the instant detergent granules. Such nonionic materials include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 15 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about 3 to 80 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Included are the water-soluble and water-dispersible condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched configuration, with from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Still other nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are semi-polar nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from abut 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble suifoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Additional suitable nonionic surfactants include polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the formula O R, II I R— C— N— Z wherein R is a C9.17 alkyl or alkenyl. R is a methyl group and Z is glycityl derived from a reduced sugar or alkoxylated derivative thereof. Examples are N-methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl cocoamide and N- methyl N-1-deoxyglucityl oleamide. Processes for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are known and can be found in Wilson, U.S. Patent No. 2,965,576 and Schwartz, U.S. Patent No. 2,703,798, the disclosures of which are incoφorated herein by reference. Preferred nonionic surfactants are of the formula R (OC.H .) OH, wherein R is a C, „-C, , 2 4 n 10 16 alkyl group or a C χ -C .. alkyl phenyl group, and n is from 3 to about 80. Particularly preferred are condensation products of C . _-C . . alcohols with from about 5 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, e.g., C._-C. _, alcohol condensed with about 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing group. Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic, quaternary, ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Cationic surfactants can also be included in the present detergent granules. Cationic surfactants comprise a wide variety of compounds characterized by one or more organic hydrophobic groups in the cation and generally by a quaternary nitrogen associated with an acid radical. Pentavalent nitrogen ring compounds are also considered quaternary nitrogen compounds. Halides, methyl sulfate and hydroxide are suitable. Tertiary amines can have characteristics similar to cationic surfactants at washing solution pH values less than about 8.5. A more complete disclosure of these and other cationic surfactants useful herein can be found in U.S. Patent 4.228.044. Cambre. issued October 14, 1980, incoφorated herein by reference. Cationic surfactants are often used in detergent compositions to provide fabric softening and/or antistatic benefits. Antistatic agents which provide some softening benefit and which are preferred herein are the quaternary ammonium salts described in U.S. Patent 3,936,537, Baskerville, Jr. et al., issued February 3, 1976, which is incoφorated herein by reference. Useful cationic surfactants also include those described in U.S. Patent 4,222.905. Cockrell. issued September 16, 1980, and in U.S. Patent 4,239.659, Muφhy, issued December 16. 1980. both incoφorated herein by reference. Optional Ingredients Additional detergent ingredients suitable for inclusion in a granular detergent composition may be added to the instant composition. These include other detergencv builders, bleaches, bleach activators, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish and anticorrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides. pH adjusting agents, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, smectite clays, enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents and perfumes. See U.S. Patent 3.936,537, issued February 3, 1976 to Baskerville, Jr. et al., incoφorated herein by reference. Bleaching agents and activators are described in U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al., issued November 1, 1983, and in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Hartman. issued November 20, 1984, both of which are incoφorated herein by reference. Chelating agents are also described in U.S. Patent 4,663,071, Bush et al., from Column 17, line 54 through Column 18, line 68, incoφorated herein by reference. Suds modifiers are also optional ingredients and are described in U.S. Patents 3,933,672, issued January 20, 1976 to Bartoletta et al., and 4.136.045, issued January 23, 1979 to Gault et al., both incoφorated herein by reference. Suitable smectite clays for use herein are described in U.S. Patent 4,762,645, Tucker et al, issued August 9, 1988, Column 6, line 3 through Column 7, line 24, incoφorated herein by reference. Suitable additional detergency builders for use herein are enumerated in the Baskerville patent. Column 13, line 54 through Column 16, line 16, and in U.S. Patent 4.663,071, Bush et al, issued May 5, 1987, both incoφorated herein by reference. Processes The detergents of the present invention can be made by a wide variety of processes, such as by conventional spray drying techniques. In addition to spray drying, the detergents can be formulated by agglomeration or the combination of spray drying and agglomeration techniques. It is preferable, however, to add the citrate/citric acid and crystalline layered sodium silicate builders to the detergent composition after the spray drying and/or agglomeration processes. Such processes for forming detergent granules and/or agglomerates is well known in the art. The present invention also provides a method of laundering soiled clothes. Specifically, soiled clothes are contacted with an effective amount of the granular detergent compositions described herein in the presence of water, i.e., aqueous media. While the amount of detergent can vary widely depending upon the particular application, typical amounts are on the order of from about 1000 ppm to about 1500 ppm. In order to make the present invention more readily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to be limiting in scope. EXAMPLE I This example illustrates several granular detergent compositions (compositions B, C, and D) which are made in accordance with the invention by a conventional spray drying process. Table I also presents composition A which has a builder system outside of the scope of the invention The vaπous components of compositions A. B. C and D are expressed in percentages by weight. TABLE I Compositions (% weight) Component A B C D C i4. 5 alkyl sulfate 13 13 13 13 c 12-13 ethoxylated sulfate (E03) 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 ^12-14 N-methylglucamide 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 C9.11 ethoxylated sulfate (EO10) 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 Sodium polyacrylate 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 Protease enzyme 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Polyethylene glycol (M.W. 4000) 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 Aluminosilicate 34.3 28.6 29.8 25.5 Crystalline layered sodium silicate ^ 8 7.1 5.9 10.2 Citric Acid 7.1 7.1 7.1 Sodium carbonate 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.6 *SKS6 commericially available from Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft For puφoses of demonstrating the improved cleaning performance obtained with detergent compositions of the invention, compositions A, B, C and D in Table I are used to wash soiled items with water having a hardness level of about 12 grains/gallon in conventional full-scale laundry washing machines with 12 minute wash cycles, after which the items are dried for 50 minutes in conventional dryers. Panelists are asked to compare the clothes washed with detergents described herein with the those clothes washed with detergents outside the scope of the invention and assign grades according to the following scale: 0 = no difference between two samples 1 = think there is a difference 2 = know there is a little difference 3 = know there is a lot of difference 4 = know there is a whole lot of difference Each panelist grades the samples under standard lighting. Table II provides the results for compositions A, B, C, D. Composition A is normalized to a PSU score of "1" so as to provide a framework for comparison of cleaning perfoπnance. TABLE II PSU A B C D Clay (cotton) 1 2.35 2.46 2.3 Clay (poly-cotton) 1 2.44 2.22 2.32 Grass 1 .66 .21 .25 Gravy 1 1.65 2.39 2.11 Blood 1 1.70 1.69 1.63 Spaghetti Sauce 1 1.25 1.07 1.21 Grease 1 1.32 1.51 1 From the results shown in Table II, it is appar ent that granular detergent compositions having the builder ratios described herein (compositions B, C and D) unexpectedly provide improved cleaning over composition A which is outside the scope of the invention. EXAMPLE II This example illustrates several additional granular detergent compositions, all of which are made according to the invention using conventional granulation processes. Table III presents compositions E, F, G and H which are within the scope of the invention. All of the components are expressed in percentages by weight. TABLE III Compositions (% weight) Component E F G H Ci4_i5 alkyl sulfate 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 Ci2_i3 ethoxylated sulfate (ED3) 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 ^12-14 N-methylglucamide 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 C9.11 ethoxylated sulfate (ED 10) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Sodium polyacrylate 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 Protease enzyme 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Polyethylene glycol (N.W. 4000) 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 Aluminosilicate 31.4 29.9 28.7 27.2 Crystalline layered sodium silicate' 7.8 7.5 8.5 10.4 Citric Acid 5.2 7.0 7.1 7.1 Sodium carbonate 25.9 25.9 25.9 25.9 'SKS6 conunericially available from Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft In order to provide the relative improved cleaning performance obtained among detergent compositions made in accordance with the invention, compositions E, F, G and H in Table III are used to wash soiled items as described in Example I. All of the compositions in Table III. namely compositions E. F. G. and H. are within the scope of the invention. Panelists are asked to compare the clothes washed with composition E with those clothes washed with compositions F, G and H and assign grades according to the scale presented in Example I. TABLE IV PSU E F G H Clay (cotton) 2 2.01 2.3 1.90 Clay (poly-cotton) 2 2.07 2.04 2.67 Grass 2 2.5 2.09 1.66 Gravy 2 1.5 1.77 1.79 Blood 2 1.85 1.67 1.70 Spaghetti Sauce 2 1.92 1.99 1.64 Grease 2 2 1.96 1.80 The results in Table IV indicate that while improved cleaning performance is obtained with all of the compositions, composition E performs generally better than compositions F, G, and H. Having thus described the invention in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A granular detergent composition characterized by: (a) from 5% to 95% by weight of a detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics and mixtures thereof; and (b) from 5% to 95% by weight of a mixture of non-phosphate detergent builders, wherein said mixture comprises an aluminosilicate ion exchange material, crystalline layered sodium silicate and citrate citric acid in a ratio of from 3.5:1:1 to 6:1: 1. 2. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said ratio is from 3.5:1:1 to 4.5:1:1. 3. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula Na z [(AlO 2 ) z .(Siθ2)y]xH 2 O wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from 1 to 5 and x is from 10 to 264. 4. The detergent composition of claim 3 wherein said aluminosilicate ion exchange material has a particle size of from 0.1 microns to 10 microns, a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 200 mg equivalent of CaCO3 hardness/gram, and a calcium ion exchange rate of at least 2 grains Ca "H 7gallon/minute/-gram/gallon. 5. The detergent composition of claim 3 wherein said aluminosilicate ion exchange material has a particle size of from 0.1 microns to 10 microns, a calcium ion exchange capacity in a range from 300 to 352 mg equivalent of CaCO3 hardness/gram, and a calcium ion exchange rate in a range from 2 grains Ca "H 7gallon/minute/-gram/gallon to 6 grains Ca ++ /gallon/minute/-gram/gallon. 6. The detergent composition of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said crystalline layered sodium silicate has the formula NaMSi x θ2χ+ι.yH2θ wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is from 1.9 to 4 and y is from 0 to 20. 7. The detergent composition of claim 1 wherein said ratio is 4.5: 1:1.

Inventors: PANCHERI EUGENE JOSEPH, PANCHERI, EUGENE, JOSEPH
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1994
Main classification: C11D3
IPC codes: C11D3